December 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friends,
Do you like a good mystery? I remember when I was a kid, I enjoyed reading Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Hitchcock always included a variety of good short stories, each one providing an unexpected twist.
There have been many great mystery writers through the years. Agatha Christie, best known for her Murder on the Orient Express, continues to be read by many long after her death. Many mystery writers today dominate the best-seller charts with their books: Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, P. D. James, and David Baldacci to name a few. Yes, many of us really enjoy a good mystery.
Do you want to know of another great mystery? Christmas! Christmas is itself a mystery.
There’s the mystery of the virgin birth in Christmas: “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20b.)
We are baffled with the mystery of the “Word become flesh” (John 1:14) in Christmas.
We have the mystery of “God with us” in the baby Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem at Christmas: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’.” (Matthew 1:23.)
And we have the mystery of Christmas in the pronouncement of what Jesus’ birth means for us: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16.)
Philip Yancey in his book, Rumors of Another World, writes that there are two ways of approaching God. One approach takes God apart. We make God manageable and measurable. We attempt to take the mystery of God out (as if that were even possible), and reduce God to one who “never surprises us, never overwhelms us, never astonishes us, never transcends us” (A. W. Tozer.) When people do this they refuse to believe in the virgin birth, refuse to accept that God could take on human form in Jesus, and fail to accept that God loves them even to the point of sending them a Savior.
The truth is, Christmas is a mystery. It is beyond us to really comprehend a virgin birth, the Word become flesh, a God who loves us just as we are, and a God who sends a Savior to save us. These are great mysteries! I like Albert Einstein’s perspective on mystery: “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious…he to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”
Christmas is a mystery that brings great wonder to our hearts and souls. We may never understand it, but we can be blessed by the beautiful gift it is to us. Mark Batterson writes, “Experience the mystery of Christmas – the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of all creation, born as a helpless little baby in Bethlehem.” I concur. After all, there’s nothing like a good mystery, especially when God is the author.

Merry Christmas!
-Pastor Jim

Open House

Denise and I would be blessed by your presence at our annual Open House on Sunday, December 19th, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. We will have many tasty treats and beverages, and we also look forward to our conversations with one another. We look forward to seeing you! -- Pastor Jim

We're Having A Sleepover!! With Animals?

This year the 1st through 5th grade children from Whiting Community Baptist and Faith United Methodist Churches will be joining together to prepare a Christmas program titled, Sleepover at the Stable. The preschool and kindergarteners from both churches will be singing songs prior to the program. Both groups will share at Whiting at 4:00 on Saturday, Dec. 18th and at 10:15 on Sunday, Dec. 19th. If you have any questions or concerns, please call director Holly Robinson at 729-9382. The December rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Dec. 5 1st-5th grades @ Whiting during Sunday School and Children's Church

Saturday, Dec. 11 1st - 5th grades @ Whiting, 9:00 am - 12:00 am

Sunday, Dec 12 1st - 5th Grades @ Whiting during Sunday School and Children's Church and also during the church's business meeting.

Saturday, Dec 18th. 1st - 5th grades @ Whiting for practice, 12:00 - 2:00 pm; 3:30 pm for program.

Sunday, Dec 19th, PS - 5th grades @ Whiting for practice during Sunday School; program at 10:15 am.

Congregational Meeting

On Sunday, December 12th, following our worship, we will hold a Congregational Meeting. At this meeting we will be electing church officers and Ministry Council members, voting on Velte Benevolent proposals, and voting on our 2011 Church Ministry Budget. Your vote counts!

Christmas Eve

One of our great traditions at Whiting Community Baptist Church is our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It will be held on Friday, December 24th, at 6:00 pm.

Church Finances for October 2010

General Funds Needed for October: $6,793
General Fund Monies Received in October: $7,486
General Fund over or (short) for October: $ 693

Mission Funds Needed for October: $922
Mission Funds Received for October: $884
Mission Funds over or (short) for October: ($38)

Through October we are in the black (more money received than spent) in our general fund by $997.

Let's Give A Little Jesus

This Christmas…
Let’s Give a Little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed,
An act of generosity for someone who’s in need.
Let’s Give a Little Jesus to everyone we meet –
The salesclerk or the server, the person on the street.
Let’s Give a Little Jesus, that’s what really counts –
Not what’s spent or brought, for whom, in what amounts.
Let’s Give a Little Jesus to everyone, large or small…
For Jesus, the Messiah, is the Greatest Gift of All.

Holiday Stress

Christmas is just around the corner! Does that thought delight you? Or terrify you? Even with the birth of our Savior as our focus, the next few weeks will be a time filled with anxiety and unmet expectations for many of us. Advent is a time to prepare ourselves not only spiritually but emotionally as well. Consider these things in your preparation.

· Know yourself and what you want from the holidays. Set goals, establish priorities, and make choices that give meaning to your life. Learn to say “yes” and “no” with this in mind. Knowing your own needs will help you understand the needs of others as you resolve dilemmas and conflicts around traveling, entertaining, and gift giving during the holidays.

· Use stress reducing strategies: a few minutes of quiet time to get yourself organized, renew your energy, and celebrate what you have accomplished (before fretting about what you have yet to accomplish). Even if you have a regular time for prayer or meditation each day, you might need some extra time to yourself to manage the stress of the holidays.

· Be a gift receiver as well as a gift giver. Share your joys and your burdens. Do for others, but let them do for you, too. Remember, the greatest gift of the holidays is a gift received . . . the gift of a Savior who knows our every cares.

In most cases, the added stress of the holidays can be managed with these preparations. But, if you or someone you know feels overwhelmed by the holidays, you should talk with someone about the way you are feeling. If you are losing sleep, finding it hard to concentrate, or are having thoughts of despair about your life, you might be experiencing a more serious anxiety or depression and should seek the care of a mental health professional.

(The Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley – 886-9319)

Kalamazoo College

Thomas Merrill came to Michigan with $7 and a plan to establish a Baptist College on the frontier. In 1833, Judge Caleb Eldred helped to make Merrill’s dreams come true.
Kalamazoo College was originally named The Michigan and Huron Institute, then changed in 1837 to the Kalamazoo Literary Institute due to support of local residents. “This institution will afford facilities for the improvement of the manners, minds, and morals of the young, unsurpassed by any of this section of our country.” The Baptists who founded the college and helped it grow, felt education not only made one a better Christian, but also contributed to a more moral citizen.
In 1843, J. A. B. Stone proposed the addition of a theological seminary to increase the supply of ministers in the region. The Seminary began in 1848. Lucinda Stone (wife of J. A. B. Stone) helped expand the “female” department.
While the seminary did not survive, the Stones brought to Kalamazoo College a well developed, rich curriculum and a strong support for the education of women. The name was changed to Kalamazoo College in 1855. The institution offered one of the superior educations in the Midwest. The vision of the Stones shaped the college.
The mission of Kalamazoo College today is to prepare its graduates to better understand, live successfully within, and provide enlightened leadership to a richly diverse and increasingly complex world. The college has 1348 students from 40 states and 25 countries.
(Kalamazoo College is an American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. related college, and is one of the 4 designated missions of Whiting Community Baptist Church in 2010.)

RMMO

Each December, American Baptist Churches throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, receive the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO). Since 1935, American Baptists have contributed to special offerings received in their churches for retired ABC ministers and missionaries or their widowed spouses. The RMMO was established in 1977 This offering is used in two ways:
· As Emergency and other financial assistance, based on financial need; and as
· Thank You” checks, based on 15 or more years of ABC service.
This year’s theme is “Remember with LOVE; give with GRATITUDE.” The RMMO is a blessing to the faithful pastors, missionaries, and other professional church leaders, who have served the American Baptist Churches, including our own. Rev. Robert and Ruby Taylor of Indianapolis write, “You will never know how much this ‘Thank you’ was appreciated at this lean time in our finances. (we) thank God for His gift of life – and friends like you.” Rev. James Pike of Chapel Hill, NC writes, “When my ‘Thank You’ check arrived, I was deeply touched. The thought gave me a surprising lift – that in retirement, my 43 years in pastoral ministry are remembered with gratitude.” Envelopes for this offering will be distributed December 5th, and can be found on the back table. On behalf of retired American Baptist Clergy and their widowed spouses, thank you!

Sunday School Update

There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, December 26th. Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 2nd.

Share Your Gift of Music

There are opportunities for children and youth to share their musical gifts with the congregation during the Christmas season. If you are interested, please contact Holly Robinson with your instrument, song title(s), and dates available.

Out of Office

Pastor Jim will be out of the office from December 25th through December 29th. However, he can be reached at 450-7680.

Birthdays

2 Nathan Schwandt
4 Benjamin Romnek
4 Ellen Schwandner
4 Sara Taake
5 Elaine Bastian
11 Jeannie Grable
11 Barb Moravec
16 Andrew Zoglman
19 Dottie Friesen
23 Amy Taake
25 Tom Romnek
27 Kim (Mentink) Rose
28 Moo Khu Htoo
30 Judy Pfister
30 Kim Rose

Wedding Anniversaries

6 Ellen & Randy Lehl

14 Nancy & Ken Biettler

Greeters

5 Judy Pfister
12 Judy Pfister
19 Judy Pfister
24 Nancy Biettler
26 Judy Pfister

November 2010 Baptist Light

Dear Friends,
I can remember back to when I joined scouting. I started as a Cub Scout, and enjoyed the den meetings, being part of a softball team, and wearing my blue scout uniform with the starched yellow bandana (I never did quite get the hand of getting it starched just right.) I even won my den’s box car derby race with a car my friend helped me to build (he actually did most of the work.) But for all my time in scouting, I only earned one badge and never moved up to the Boy Scouts, as I had hoped. To express it another way, I never matured as a scout.
One of the challenges and responsibilities of Christians is to grow spiritually. Unlike the scouts, we don’t earn badges. However, we do want to make progress. The apostle Paul defined spiritual growth in this way: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Wow! We’re to have the mind of Christ, which means spiritually mature Christians become more and more like Christ as they live out their faith each and every day. I know I have a long way to go in developing this mind of Christ. In fact, this is a life-long work in progress! Yet I hope I am making progress. I hope we are all making progress. How can we know? What does spiritual maturity look like in people?
In research done by George Gallup, Jr. and Timothy Jones (The Saints Among Us) it was found that spiritually mature people have nine qualities that set them apart from other people:
1. They are much more likely to have a daily time of private prayer.
2. They feel a genuine sense of the presence of God in their daily lives.
3. They report that their religious experiences are a source of strength, personal growth, and the healing of inner conflicts.
4. They tend to have a greater sense of inner peace, to feel more joyful and happy, and are less likely to feel depressed.
5. They are more humble, less likely to exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance.
6. They are far more often engaged in compassionate helping acts to others.
7. They are less racially prejudiced.
8. They are far more capable of forgiving people who wrong them and of being constructive, reconciling members of society.
9. They are more favorable to church involvement in political activity in order to right wrongs in society.
As I look at the above list, I find I want to become increasingly more spiritually mature. How does that happen? To be sure, there are many ways to deveop spiritual maturity. Herb Miller (Connecting with God) cites research that indicates seven experiences for Christians as primary sources of spiritual growth:
1. Worship – focusing on God and sensing God’s presence.
2. Music – feeling moved to give God greater attention.
3. Prayer – relating to God.
4. Fellowship – receiving God’s love through others.
5. Preaching – hearing God speak to me.
6. Service – giving God’s love to others through time and talent.
7. Stewardship – giving money to help with God’s work in the world.
Maturing in Christ is as an important goal as we can have as Christians. Are you maturing? Can it be seen through your participation in worship, prayer, praise, fellowship, study of God’s Word, service, and giving?

Peace,

Pastor Jim

Harvest Celebration

Sunday, November 7, 2010
Following the morning service
November tends to be the time of year when we join our

hearts in giving thanks to God, the Lord of the Harvest.

EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD COMES FROM THE LORD !
Let us share in fellowship, love, laughter, and food

Please remain after the service on Sunday, November 7, 2010.

We will enjoy a pot-luck lunch and other activities. Your favorite dishes to share will be appreciated. Questions/offers to help: contact Christi Lewis.

Phone: 720-0072 Email: christi4christ@ymail.com

Christmas Giving Opportunities

• Each year we have the opportunity to bless others through our Christmas gift giving. In the past we have given to local, national and international non-profit agencies, to bless children and families who have little. This year we will continue that tradition by giving gifts to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (Shoe boxes), and to the Salvation Army Fox Cities, where we are adopting a family. Here is some of the information to guide you in your gift-giving:
  The Shoe Box ministry of Samaritan’s Purse requires we turn in shoe boxes by November 14st, as many of these shoe boxes go overseas. You can pack your shoe box using shoe boxes you may have at home, or pick one up at church (and maybe Family bookstore.) Take one of the envelopes that have the ages of children and gifts appropriate to that age group. Then fill you shoe box, along with a check or cash for shipping, and bring to the church by November 14th.
  We are in the process of gathering information on the family we are adopting from the Salvation Army and the gift ideas for them. Watch your Sunday bulletin and weekly updates for more information.
  Thank you so much for your generosity in helping children and families through your gifts! The light of Jesus shines brightly through you.

American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. International Missions

Kyu Kyu Khin, came to the U.S. in 2002 from Myanmar (Burma) to pursue a masters degree in theology at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. A scholarship from American Baptist International Ministries (IM) enabled her to do so. She remained in the U.S. to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree in marriage and family at Eastern Baptist (now Palmer) Seminary. Many among the IM staff at the Mission Center in Valley Forge joined with both seminaries and the Friends of Burma to walk with Kyu Kyu since, except for one return visit to Myanmar, she was without her husband and two sons. She needed even more support when she fell ill to a debilitating cancer and required much medical attention and help with insurance and costs.
By God’s immeasurable grace and mercy, Kyu Kyu triumphed and today she is on the faculty of Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT), the oldest and largest seminary in Southeast Asia. According to its principal, “95% of the church leaders, theological educators, theologians and organizational leaders in Myanmar come from MIT.”
Kyu Kyu serves as MIT’s chaplain, provides counseling services on campus and teaches courses like Marriage and Family Counseling and Crisis Counseling. She writes from Myanmar: “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks again to International Ministries.”
When you think of IM’s important work in theological education, you can give thanks to God that it includes a scholarship program that produces abundant harvests in partner countries year after year.

We're Having A Sleepover!! With Animals?

This year the preschool through 5th grade children from Whiting Community Baptist and Faith United Methodist Churches will be joining together to prepare a Christmas program titled, Sleepover at the Stable. The program will be shared at Whiting at 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 18th, and at 10:15 am, on Sunday, December 19th. The first rehearsal will be Friday, October 29th from 9 – 11:30 am at Whiting. The children will be practicing the music during Sunday School singing time. For the month of November, the 1st – 5th graders will be rehearsing during Children’s Church time at Whiting. If you have any questions or concerns, please call director Holly Robinson at 729-9382.

Mental Health and Food

(The following information is provided by the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley. Their phone number is 886-9319.)
Does better diet improve mental health, or do people who are mentally healthy tend to make better food choices? Despair, depression, and anxiety tend to drive all kinds of unhealthy lifestyle choices, including dietary ones.
A study in the March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry by Felice Jacka investigated three habitual dietary patterns: (1) Traditional – comprised mainly of vegetables, fruit, beef, lamb, fish, and whole-grain foods. (2) Western – consisting mostly of processed meats, pizza, chips, hamburgers, white bread, flavored milk, sugar, and beer. (3) Modern – includes mainly fruit, salad, fish, tofu, beans, nuts, yogurt, and red wine.
The study showed that of the three, the Western dietary pattern was most likely to be accompanied by dysthymia or major depression and increased psychological issues. The traditional dietary pattern was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of both depressive and anxiety disorders, and in general, the Modern with a higher diet score was associated with fewer psychological symptoms.

Church Finances

For the first nine months of the year, we are short of our budget forecast, $7,369 in our general fund, and short $1,518 in our mission giving, although we have received $3,583 in special mission giving. Since we have kept spending down to a bare minimum, we have reduced expenses but still find ourselves having paid out $788 more than we have received through the first nine months of the year. This is a concern. Please pray for our church and for our financial needs. Thank you.

Church Business Meetings

On Sunday, November 14th, following our worship, a church business meeting will be held for the purpose of reviewing our proposed 2011 church budget.

Ministry Council Nominations

Each year the Ministry Council experiences the end of terms of at least a couple of its members. Members who have served a three-year term, if the congregation wishes, are able to serve another three-year term. The maximum number of years anyone can serve on the Ministry Council without taking a break is six years.

The congregation (you) have the privilege and responsibility of recommending candidates to the church body for election to the Ministry Council. If there is someone you would like to nominate, please let Tom Romnek or Pastor Jim know by November 12th. Thank you.

Providential Provision for Pilgrims

Famine once we had –
But other things God gave us in full store
As fish and ground nuts to supply our strait,
That we might learn on providence to wait;
And know, by bread man lives not in his need,
But by each word that doth from God proceed.
Pilgrim Governor William Bradford

A History of Thanksgiving

In 1621, when only about one-third of the colonists had survived the severe winter, the Wampanoag Indians, under chief Massasoit, taught the settlers how to plant corn. They were blessed with a bountiful harvest. A great, three-day celebration followed, supplied primarily by Wampanoag gifts of turkeys, ducks, geese and deer. Two years later, when Massasoit fell ill, Pilgrim families helped nurse him back to health.
Years later, while George Washington was camping at Valley Forge, he prayed for help and saw God’s answer when the French sent military assistance. Washington called for a day of thanksgiving among his troops. Still later, in 1789, President Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving, November 26, as “a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer in gratitude for God’s allowing the American people to establish a form of government so conducive to their safety and happiness.”
The Day of Thanksgiving continued through the presidencies of Washington and John Adams. However, when Thomas Jefferson opposed such a day, the national observance fell into oblivion until Abraham Lincoln reactivated it in 1863 on the last Thursday in November. Between 1939 and 1941 President F.D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November, but Congress later restored the fourth Thursday date, where the holiday has remained since. The Canadian government established the second Monday of October as their national Day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Our annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service will be held this year right across the street at Faith United Methodist Church, on Wednesday, November 24th, at 7:00 pm.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Remember to “fall back” on Sunday morning, November 7th, as Daylight Savings Time ends. Before going to bed on Saturday, November 6th, set you clocks back one hour and enjoy an extra hour of sleep!

Pastor Jim Elected Vice President

At the recent American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin Annual Meeting (October 8-9), Pastor Jim was elected Vice President of our region! He will serve as Vice-President this year, and then in October of 2011, become President of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin. By the way, the Annual Meeting of the ABCW will be held in Neenah in 2012.

November Birthdays

3 Dave Isom
5 Amber Lewis
6 Ernie Delikowski
6 Mary Miller-Wenzel
8 Abbey Lewis
11 Josh Rose
13 Erik Demarais
13 Kathleen Harrington
23 Jenny Wolfe
25 Cathy Lieske
25 Miranda Romnek
27 Neil Mongan
30 Vicci Achtner
30 Lois Harrington

November Wedding Anniversaries

15 Donna & Dave Mentink

November Greeter Schedule

7 Kathy Najdowski
14 Kathy Najdowski
21 Kathy Najdowski
28 Kathy Najdowski